Playing The Hero (17 page)

Epilogue

The phone rang and Carter dropped the spoon in the pot when he dove across the kitchen and reached over the counter.

“Is it time?” Carter asked breathlessly. He heard Reid laugh and his nerves wound tight.

“Yeah. She in suite 11B and she’s at three centimeters. You’d better hurry.” Reid warned. Carter pushed his hand through his hair and exhaled loudly.

“Oh, my God. This is really happening.” He mumbled as he stared into space.

“It is. Right now. You better hurry.” Reid repeated and Carter blinked rapidly as he tried to figure out how to move.

“I’ll be there in about ten minutes.” Carter said as he dashed across the kitchen and shut off the stove and the oven.

“Ok. I’ll be with Melissa.” Reid laughed again and it caused Carter’s stomach to flutter. “I love you.” He said and Carter sagged against the counter.

“I love you too. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Carter whispered. His voice didn’t seem capable of more.

“Ok, bye.” Reid whispered back before he hung up.

Carter stood and looked around, stunned and more nervous than he’d ever been in his life. He walked into the living room and started to spin as his mind raced.
Think!
He fisted his hands at his sides and nodded stiffly.
What are you going to need for the next day or so?
Carter took a deep breath and considered. Wallet, keys, phone and charger.
That’s it. Go.
Carter nodded again and ran through the house grabbing those items and making sure nothing was left on in the kitchen before he locked up the house and rushed to his car.

Carter and Reid had been completely flabbergasted when Melissa pulled them aside at their wedding and presented them with a card that read:

My gift to you will be a perfect, precious and pure love to make your beautiful life together complete.

When she explained that she was volunteering to be a surrogate mother for them, if they decided they wanted to have a child, they had both been too moved and blown away to decide at the time. For three months, Carter and Reid whispered, laughed and cried late into the night before they finally called Melissa and accepted her offer. After that, there were months of tests and procedures. They used an anonymous egg donor and Carter’s sperm. If they decided to have another child later, they would use Reid’s. Once Melissa was pregnant, there were more tests and doctor’s appointments as well as classes. Carter and Reid went to everything and spent hours reading books and looking at magazines. They agreed to wait to find out the sex of the baby so the nursery was decorated in white and pinks or blues would be added later.

Carter parked the car and stumbled as he ran through the hospital parking lot. His legs were shaking and didn’t feel solid. He paced in the lobby as he waited for the elevator and he almost pulled his hair out as he waited for it to get to the fourth floor. As soon as the doors opened, Carter ran, his eyes scanning the plaques for Melissa’s room number. He heard her scream and he skidded as he tried to stop.

“Jesus Christ, Reid! Can’t you do something?” She roared and Carter’s eyes grew wide. “I need that fucking epidural! Yesterday!” Melissa demanded and Carter looked back in the direction he’d just come and considered running.

“Get in here, Carter!” Reid called.
Shit. Too late.
Carter rubbed the back of his neck and trudged into the delivery suite as Melissa shrieked his name.

When Carter stepped into the room she was leaning over the bed and rocking from side to side. A long, deep moan poured from her and body shook violently. Her hair was plastered to her face and her jaw was clenched. Carter’s head pulled back and he looked at Reid, terrified and confused.

“Can’t they do a C-section or something?” He asked and Melissa’s head whipped around and she scowled at him. He held his hands up soothingly. “I’m sorry! You look so miserable and I just thought that might be easier on you.” Carter explained and she only looked angrier. “Not that you don’t look beautiful. You look amazing. But I can see you’re in a lot of pain and I…”

“Stop talking, Carter!” Melissa hissed as she clawed at the bed and threw her head back and screamed.

There was a splash and a puddle of fluid formed between her feet and Carter backed away quickly as he looked to Reid in utter panic. Reid calmly walked to the bed and pressed a button on a thing that looked like a remote control and a moment later a voice answered.

“Hi, it’s Dr. Randolph. Ms. Winters’ water just broke. Is there an ETA on Dr. Patel for her epidural?” Reid asked.

“He just called and said he’s on his way up from the OR. Should be no more than five minutes. We’ve got everything ready for him. I’ll have that room cleaned up before he’s ready to start.” A woman answered and Melissa moaned in relief. Then, she bellowed.

“What can I do?” Carter whispered when Reid looked at him.

“Hold her hand or rub her back. Let her tell you to go to hell.” He suggested as he checked a stream of paper that slowly spilled from a monitor. “Melissa, your contractions are coming along beautifully.” Reid said gently.

“Fanfuckingtastic.” She growled before she dropped her head and wailed. Reid nodded for Carter to go to her and he slowly moved closer until he was standing next to her.

“I think you’re amazing and I love you so much for doing this.” He tried to sound soothing as he wrapped his hands around her shoulders and began to knead. Melissa nodded drunkenly.

“I hate you so fucking hard right now, Carter. I think your baby is trying to claw it’s way out of me.” She gasped as she clutched at her stomach. “I should have known you’d spawn a twelve pound wolverine.” Melissa panted. Reid sucked his lips in to keep from laughing and nodded as a janitor and nurse rushed in.

Fifteen minutes later, it was an entirely different atmosphere. The anesthesiologist was checking Melissa’s vitals and she was flirting shamelessly. Carter leaned against Reid and watched in slight horror and some relief.

“I love you Dr. Patel.” She sighed and he laughed softly. “When this is all over, you want to go and get a drink?” Melissa murmured as she tugged playfully at the lapel of his coat. Carter’s mouth fell open and he tilted his head closer to Reid’s.

“Is this the way women normally behave after an epidural?” He asked and Reid crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged.

“They’re usually very relaxed and extremely fond of the anesthesiologist. She’s experiencing a hormone surge and she’s probably looking forward to getting that baby out of her.” Reid lowered his voice and faced Carter. “Melissa is also single and Dr. Patel is an attractive man.” He winked before he turned back to the bed.

“Do you think she could really be interested?” Carter whispered. If she was, it would be wonderful.

“I don’t know. Women say crazy things during labor and delivery.” Reid explained. Carter bit his lip as he watched Melissa play with her hair. He didn’t have the heart to tell her she looked like a train wreck. But even then, Melissa was still pretty. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine that she’d be beautiful once her body was done putting her through hell.

“Do you think Dr. Patel would be interested?” Carter asked and Reid grinned.

“He knows I could have easily administered that epidural if I weren’t personally involved with the patient. He could have left as soon as it was in place. There’s no reason I can’t monitor her from here on out.” Reid nodded toward the bed as Patel pressed a stethoscope to Melissa’s chest and listened. “That’s completely unnecessary, she’s hooked up to the monitors.” Reid whispered and Carter bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling.

“Perhaps, when you’ve had some time to recover and if you’re still interested, you can ask Dr. Randolph to give me your number.” Dr. Patel said as he stepped back. “I have another patient but if you should need anything, don’t hesitate to call. I’ll check on you later.” He smiled at Carter and Reid before took himself off and Melissa sighed again as she watched him leave.

“He’s kind of dreamy.” She giggled as she stretched and yawned. “And he knows how to make the pain go away.” Melissa sang as she smiled and reached for Carter’s hand. Reid shook his head softly as he looked at the ribbon of paper.

“Your contractions are getting stronger. I want to have your cervix checked.” He said as he reached for the Call button to summon a nurse.

The rest of the afternoon passed easily and quickly. Melissa was a one woman party and kept everyone laughing. Dr. Patel dropped in “to check on” Melissa frequently and she continued with her very direct and obvious flirting. Carter was hopeful that she’d still be interested after she left the hospital. Reid remained calm and focused on Melissa’s progress and keeping her comfortable. Carter did his best to be supportive and out of the way.

Suddenly, it was time. It was nothing like the deliveries Carter saw on t.v. and in the movies. The obstetrician came in and got in place and calmly told Melissa to start pushing. She grit her teeth and pushed whenever she was told and held Carter’s hand as she panted and curled her body forward. Reid watched over the obstetrician’s shoulder and Carter shook his head violently when they asked if he wanted to look. Of all the people in the room, Carter was the most stressed and confused. He did his best to appear relaxed and not like he was about to vomit everywhere.

“You’re doing great, Melissa. We can see the head.” Reid smiled reassuringly as he looked at her and his expression switched to excitement when he glanced at Carter. Carter nodded weakly and squeezed Melissa’s hand.

“You’re so amazing.” He whispered as he bent to kiss her temple. “I love you so much, Melissa.” Carter was on the verge of crying. He was so grateful to Melissa and in awe of all that she had put her body through for them. And he knew that his entire world was about to change.

“I love you too. You’re going to be an amazing father. I couldn’t have survived with Max without you.” Her eyes filled with tears and she kissed Carter’s hand. “Thank you!” Melissa said and Carter laughed.

“I can’t believe you’re thanking me right now!” He kissed her forehead. “Thank you.” He didn’t even try to stop the tears that were spilling from his eyes.

“The head is out and you’ve got another contraction starting. One more big push, Melissa.” The obstetrician said and Reid covered his mouth as he started to cry.

“Oh, my God! Carter…” His voice was hoarse and he was shaking as Melissa grabbed her knees to bear down. Carter leaned with her, supporting her as he stared at Reid through the tears that flooded his vision.

“Here we go!” The obstetrician said cheerfully and Melissa fell back and sighed loudly. Carter went numb as he saw a tiny little body lifted into the air and placed on Melissa’s stomach. He couldn’t breathe as he held Melissa’s hand and waited.

“It’s a girl!” Reid cried as he rushed toward Carter. An angry scream filled the room and all the air left Carter’s body in a loud whoosh and the room spun as Reid’s arms closed around him. Carter held Reid tight as he watched a nurse wrap the baby in a blanket and turn to Melissa.

“No. Give her to Carter.” Melissa said as she smiled up at Carter. He tried to swallow but his throat was so clogged and felt so tight. His body was shaking so hard he almost backed away when the nurse raised the baby to his chest.

“I…” Carter floundered as he tried to find coherent words and attempted to wrap his body around the tiny, weightless bundle in his arms. He was petrified he’d drop her and he looked to Reid for help.

“It’s ok, Carter.” Reid murmured against Carter’s temple and kissed him as his arms closed around Carter’s waist and his chin rested on his shoulder. “Just look at her.” Reid said.

Carter looked down and the whole world disappeared. Nothing in his life could have prepared him for what he saw. He was holding the most beautiful, precious, perfect thing he’d ever laid eyes on. And Carter was so in love. He thought he knew what love was before. He loved Reid with every fiber of his being but it just wasn’t the same. This was a love that started when Carter took his very first breath and had been growing inside of him every moment after. He’d always loved this tiny, magical person and somehow, he
knew
her.

“Carter?” Reid’s lips brushed Carter’s ear and the room surrounded Carter again and he heard people and equipment moving around. He turned his head and laughed as he kissed Reid.

“I have a daughter!” Carter gasped. “She’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen.” He looked back down at her and his heart felt like it was too big for his chest as he lifted her and pressed the most delicate kiss to her forehead. Nothing had ever felt so soft and he sighed. Then, she opened her tiny mouth and roared. Carter pulled his head back in surprise and watched as she squirmed and screeched.

“Let me take her so we can see how big she is. Then you can feed her.” A nurse said as she plucked the baby from his arms.

Carter started to protest but Reid rubbed his arms soothingly and told him to be patient. Carter looked to Melissa and she was exhausted and her face was covered in tears but she looked radiant and happy. Carter threw himself at her and hugged her as he bathed her face with kisses.

“Melissa! She’s so perfect. I can never thank you enough.” He was crying again and she laughed as she held him.

“Aside from the first half of labor, it wasn’t a big deal. I’m just so happy for you and I feel so blessed to be part of this.” Melissa kissed him firmly on the lips then pushed him away. “Now, let me rest and go take a milliondy pictures of your baby girl.” She commanded. Carter laughed as he dried his face and went to watch the nurses process his very angry daughter.

An hour later, Reid and Carter reclined on a sofa in the delivery suite next door to Melissa’s. Reid had pulled strings to get the three of them a separate room so Melissa could recover in peace and they could bond with their daughter and still be close enough to check on Melissa. Reid had worried that keeping the baby with Melissa might make their separation difficult for her. If Melissa was having any issues, she was hiding them well. She held the baby briefly and promised to be the very best aunt and always love her then she passed the baby back to Reid and started to fall asleep.